The management of Yahoo, burdened by a culture of niceness, does not begin to understand what it means to be mean. Take Microsoft's hiring of Blackstone Group investment banker Jill Greenthal as an advisor. Greenthal, pictured here, is a respected dealmaker. But more importantly, she's best buds with Yahoo president Sue Decker, who worked with her at Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette. Kara Swisher says that the two haven't spoken since Microsoft launched its $44.6 billion offer to buy Yahoo. Would Microsoft hire a banker just to rob Decker of a trusted friend's advice? Of course not, but it seems like a useful fringe benefit.